There is a proposal for Greens councillor Cathy Oke to fly to the Netherlands next month for a four-day ­cycling tour.Source:News Limited

WHETHER it’s checking out the Dutch bicycle culture or hanging out with the anti-smoking lobby in Denmark, Melbourne City Council has the important issues covered.

Several councillors have taken or have applied for overseas trips this year, costing ratepayers tens of thousands of dollars.

The latest proposal, to be considered by the Future Melbourne Committee tomorrow, is for Greens councillor Cathy Oke to fly to the Netherlands next month for a four-day ­cycling tour that will cost more than $6000.

“The tour will provide a first-hand look at Dutch ­bicycle culture, safety initiatives ... that have resulted in some of the highest participation rates in active travel and some of the lowest road ­trauma rates for cycling and pedestrians globally,” said a ­report to the committee.

The council has a goal of increasing cycling trips by 400 per cent by 2030, with “its entire road network safe and attractive for cyclists of all ages”.

If the trip is approved, Cr Oke’s airline carbon emissions will be offset with the purchase of credits.

In late June, People City portfolio chairman Cr Richard Foster attended the Smoke-Free Cities Alliance Summit in Copenhagen at a cost of nearly $14,000.

Cr Foster, who wants smoking banned in the CBD, joined representatives from cities ­including Arkhangelsk, ­Ljubl­jana, Oslo, Dublin and ­Aalborg.

The two-day event discussed how to improve and spread initiatives to stop young people smoking.

“We’re not out to get smokers,” said a summit brochure.

“We’re out to find out how we can aid smokers who are looking to quit and prevent youngsters from ever starting.”

In March, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and councillors Kevin Louey and Beverley Pinder-Mortimer went to Japan and China as part of a council business mission.

They met dignitaries such as the mayors of Osaka and ­Tianjin. The cost for the week-long trip was nearly $28,000.

The delegation also had a briefing from Japanese firm Sanoyas, which owns the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel.